NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: New York Knicks Owner James Dolan Denies Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony Trade Talks

Recent rumors suggested that the New York Knicks will look to acquire Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, but ESPN reported that the Knicks will likely stay put this season.

According to the report, the Knicks chairman had a pep talk with the team before their practice following their humiliating 29-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their Wednesday Christmas Day showdown.

Sources said that Dolan assured Knicks players that no trades will be made and that Mike Woodson's job is also secured. Dolan reportedly decided to gather the players for a talk to persuade them to face the adversity together as a team.

Dolan's stance could officially put an end to the recent trade rumors surrounding the Knicks, who are currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with their measly 9-20 record this season.

Aside from the Rondo rumor, the Knicks were also linked to Kyle Lowry, but talks were reportedly called off after the Toronto Raptors asked for the Knicks' 2018 first round pick.

Recent rumors also suggested that the Knicks could consider trading Carmelo Anthony before the deadline, knowing that they could lose him for nothing when the star forward becomes a free agent next summer. The Los Angeles Clippers was mentioned as the most likely destination for Anthony.

Dolan's declaration could also end the talks suggesting that coach Woodson will be fired by the Knicks. Previous reports suggested that the Knicks were evaluating Woodson on a game-to-game basis. Possible replacements were also named, including former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy and former star guard Allan Houston.

Woodson recently said that the Knicks shouldn't be judged by their current record because of the injuries that hit the team in the first two months of the season. When asked about his expectations this season, Woodson confidently said that he is looking forward to winning the Atlantic Division title again this season.

 "Eventually we'll get healthy and we'll see how it all plays out. The beauty about all of this that we're going through is nobody's running away with it in our division and I'm pushing our team to win our division still. We won it last year and I expect us to win it this year," Woodson said via the New York Daily News.